Remote Ball Launcher

ABSTRACT

A remote ball launcher designed to allow an individual to practice striking an incoming ball when alone. The remote ball launcher includes a cylindrical launch tube designed to house at least one ball therein, having a first end and a second end. The first end of the launch tube is operably connected to a base and the second end of the launch tube has an aperture designed to expel a ball therefrom. A spring mechanism is disposed at the first end and is designed to propel a ball along the launch tube. A ball track is operably connected to the launch tube such that the ball track feeds balls into the launch tube. A control switch is disposed within a foot pedal, wherein the control switch is operably connected to the spring mechanism such that actuating the foot pedal causes the spring mechanism to launch the ball towards the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/687,457 filed on Jun. 20, 2018. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ball launchers. More specifically, the invention provides a remote ball launcher having a ball track configured to feed balls into a launch tube, wherein the launch tube is operably connected to a spring mechanism configured to launch balls towards a user.

Many individuals enjoy playing sports such as tennis or baseball. In tennis, it is often necessary to continually practicing hitting the ball to improve a user's skill level. However, it can be difficult to find a partner to practice with which can often lead to the user practicing alone. Unfortunately, it is difficult to effectively practice striking a ball shot from a distance when practicing alone. While there are ball machines that will shoot the ball at an automated pace towards the user, these can be prohibitively expensive, as well as difficult to transport and set up. Thus, an improved ball launcher that allows a user to practice striking an incoming ball when practicing alone is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of ball launchers present in the known art, the present invention provides a remote ball launcher wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when desiring to practice striking an incoming ball when practicing alone.

The present system comprises a remote ball launcher. A remote ball launcher comprises a cylindrical launch tube configured to house at least one ball therein, having a first end and a second end. The first end of the launch tube is operably connected to a base and the second end of the launch tube has an aperture configured to expel a ball therefrom. A spring mechanism is disposed at the first end of the launch tube and is configured to propel a ball along the launch tube. A ball track is operably connected to the launch tube such that the ball track is configured to feed balls into the launch tube. A control switch is disposed within a foot pedal, wherein the control switch is operably connected to the spring mechanism such that actuating the foot pedal causes the spring mechanism to launch the ball. In this way, a user is able to practice striking an incoming ball when practicing alone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the remote ball launcher.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of an embodiment of the remote ball launcher and remote.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the remote ball launcher disassembled.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the remote ball launcher in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the remote ball launcher. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the remote ball launcher. A remote ball launcher 10 comprises a base 11, wherein the base 11 is circularly shaped in the illustrated embodiment. However, in other embodiments, the base 11 can comprise any suitable stable geometric shape, such as a square or a hexagon. The base 11 is configured to have a greater weight than the rest of the remote ball launcher 10, such that the remote ball launcher 10 is not knocked over by the force of the balls launching.

The remote ball launcher 10 further comprises a launch tube 12, wherein the launch tube 12 is configured to house at least one ball therein, such as a tennis ball or a baseball. As such, the launch tube 12 is cylindrically shaped. Thus, the launch tube 12 is configured to have a plurality of balls move therethrough without effort, such that in one embodiment the launch tube 12 has a friction coefficient less than one thereby preventing balls from becoming stuck therein.

The launch tube 12 has a first end disposed opposite a second end. The first end of the launch tube 12 is operably connected to the base 11, whereas the second end of the launch tube 12 is open, such that a launch aperture 13 is produced. The launch aperture 13 is configured to expel a ball therefrom, such that a ball traveling through the launch tube 12 is shot from the launch aperture 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the launch tube 12 is arcuate, such that the launch aperture 13 with the balls loaded into the first end of the launch tube 12. In this way, the ball is launched in a desired direction when expelled from the launch tube 12 commensurate with the curve of the launch tube 12.

A ball track 14 is disposed in proximity to the launch tube 12, such that the ball track 14 is in communication with the launch tube 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the ball track 14 comprises a spiral shape. The spiral shape ensures that any balls placed therein are propelled downwards by gravity at a slow pace, thereby preventing the balls already placed within the spiral tube 14 from jarring against one another and potentially damaging the mechanisms within the remote ball launcher 10. In the shown embodiment, the spiral tube 14 is disposed around the launch tube 12, such that the launch tube 12 extends through the center of the spiral tube 14. In this way, the spiral tube 14 is disposed in such a way as to take up the least amount of space possible. Further, the spiral tube 14 is sized to have a diameter less than a diameter of the base 11 such that the spiral tube 14 does not offset the stability of the remote ball launcher 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spiral tube 14 has a ball accepting aperture 15 disposed along an upper surface. The ball accepting aperture 15 is sized to accept the designated ball therein, such that it does not take up an excessive amount of space on the spiral tube 14. Additionally, sizing the ball accepting aperture 15 to be as small as possible prevents any balls from falling out of the ball accepting aperture 15 should the remote ball launcher 10 be accidentally knocked over.

In the shown embodiment, the ball accepting aperture 15 is disposed at a point on the spiral tube 14 proximal to the launch aperture 13 at the second end of the launch tube 12 where the spiral tube 14 is affixed to the launch tube 12. In this way, the ball accepting aperture 15 is disposed at a height such that the user is not required to bend over to load or refill the balls within the spiral tube 14.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a close-up view of the remote ball launcher and remote. The spiral tube 14 is operably connected to the launch tube 12 through an opening 16. Thus, balls that are placed within the spiral tube 14 are fed into the launch tube 12 through the opening 16. The opening 16 is sized to allow a single ball through at a time, preventing the remote ball launcher from becoming overwhelmed by an excessive number of balls. In the shown embodiment, an upper end of the spiral tube 14 is additionally operably connected to an upper end of the launch tube 12, such that the spiral tube 14 is stably disposed throughout.

A ball launcher 19 is disposed at the first end of the launch tube 12. The ball launcher 19 is configured to propel a ball upwards along the launch tube 12. The ball launcher 19 further comprises a support face 17 at an upper end thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the support face 17 is planar, such that the ball is configured to rest flat atop the support face 17. However, in other embodiments, the support face 17 is concave, such that the ball is configured to rest within the support face 17, thereby providing a flush fit to the ball.

The ball launcher 19 further comprises a spring mechanism 18 disposed at an end opposite the support face 17. In the shown embodiment, the support face 17 comprises a diameter equal to a diameter of an interior of the launch tube 12, such that the force of the spring mechanism 18 is evenly distributed across the entire cross-sectional area of the launch tube 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring mechanism 18 is compressed, such that the support face 17 is aligned with the opening 16. In this way, balls fed into the ball track 14 are propelled through the ball track 14 via gravity and are thereby gravity fed through the opening 16 into the launch tube 12. When the spring mechanism 18 is released, the ball launcher 19 is propelled upwards, launching the ball through the launch tube 12 and towards the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring mechanism 18 further comprises a timer, such that the user can set the remote ball launcher to automatically launch balls at a specific interval.

A control switch is disposed within a foot pedal 20, wherein the control switch is operably connected to the ball launcher 19 such that actuating the foot pedal 20 causes the spring mechanism 18 to release and thereby launch the ball placed atop the support face 17. Further, the control switch is configured to reset the ball launcher 19, such that after the spring mechanism 18 is released, it is recompressed, thereby allowing access to the opening 16 for another ball to be fed into the launch tube 12.

The foot pedal 20 is connected to the remote ball launcher through a cord 21 extending from the base 11 to the foot pedal 20. In the illustrated embodiment the cord 21 is configured to be greater than ten feet in length, thereby allowing a user to stand at least ten feet from the remote ball launcher and actuate the foot pedal 20. In this way, the user can remotely actuate the ball launcher 19 from a predetermined distance away from the machine, allowing the user to effectively practice hitting a ball projected at them at a specific speed.

The control switch is operably connected to a power supply 22 disposed within the base 11 via the cord 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply 22 comprises a plurality of batteries disposed within the base 11, however in other embodiments any suitably capable power source can be utilized as the power supply 22, such as a solar panel.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the remote ball launcher disassembled. In the illustrated embodiment, the remote ball launcher can be disassembled such that the launch tube 12 and spiral tube 14 can be disconnected from the base 11. In the shown embodiment, the launch tube 12 is disconnected at the first end, such that there is a launch tube aperture 23 formed at the first end of the launch tube 12. The launch tube aperture 23 is configured to connect to the base 11 through a base connector 24 such that the base connector 24 is configured to receive the launch tube aperture 23 therein.

Further, when the remote ball launcher is disassembled, the spring mechanism 18 is uncompressed, such that the ball launcher 19 encompasses a greater portion of the launch tube 12 and extends past the opening that connects the spiral tube 14 to the launch tube 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of the remote ball launcher in use. In operation, a user 70 will set up the remote ball launcher 10 such that the launch tube is connected to the base. The user will then insert at least one ball 71 into the spiral tube such that the ball travels down the spiral tube into the ball launcher at a distal end of the launch tube. In the illustrated embodiment, the balls 71 are tennis balls. The user 70 will then use the cord to place the foot pedal 20 a predetermined distance away and place their foot on the foot pedal 20. In this way, the user 70 can actuate the control switch by stepping on the foot pedal 20, thus propelling a tennis ball 71 into the air and towards the user 70, prompting the user to hit the ball 71 with a racquet. The remote ball launcher is configured to reset the spring mechanism and repeat the launch process, such that the total number of balls 71 loaded therein to the spiral tube are each propelled singly towards the user until the remote ball launcher is thereby emptied. In this way, the remote ball launcher allows the user 70 to practice the sport without having a partner available.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A remote ball launcher, comprising: a base; a cylindrical launch tube configured to house at least one ball therein, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is operably connected to the base and the second end has an aperture configured to expel a ball therefrom; a spring mechanism disposed at the first end of the launch tube configured to propel a ball along the launch tube; a ball track operably connected to the launch tube such that the ball track is configured to feed balls into the launch tube; a control switch disposed within a foot pedal; the control switch operably connected to the spring mechanism, such that actuating the foot pedal causes the spring mechanism to launch a ball. 2) The remote ball launcher of claim 1, wherein the ball track is spirally shaped. 3) The remote ball launcher of claim 2, wherein the ball track spirals around the launch tube. 4) The remote ball launcher of claim 3, wherein the base has a diameter greater than the diameter of the spiraled ball track. 5) The remote ball launcher of claim 1, wherein a timer is operably connected to the spring mechanism configured to launch balls at a specific interval. 6) The remote ball launcher of claim 1, wherein the base includes an opening configured to removably secure the first end of the launch tube therein via friction fit. 7) The remote ball launcher of claim 1, wherein the launch tube is arcuate. 8) The remote ball launcher of claim 1, wherein the ball track has an aperture at an upper end configured to receive balls therethrough. 9) The remote ball launcher of claim 1, wherein an upper end of the ball track is operably connected to an upper end of the launch tube. 10) The remote ball launcher of claim 1, wherein a lower end of the ball track is affixed to the launch tube at an opening therein, wherein the opening is in communication with the ball track and the launch tube such that balls placed within the ball track are received therethrough into the launch tube. 11) The remote ball launcher of claim 10, wherein the ball track is spirally shaped such that a ball positioned within the ball track is transported via gravity into the launch tube. 12) The remote ball launcher of claim 1, wherein the spring mechanism includes a platform at a distal end thereof. 13) The remote ball launcher of claim 12, wherein the platform has a diameter equal to that of the interior diameter of the launch tube. 14) The remote ball launcher of claim 1, wherein the control switch is configured to reset the spring mechanism once the spring mechanism has been actuated. 